"Under its plan, The Second Mile board has proposed transferring five key programs and funding to support them to Arrow Child & Family Ministries, a Texas-based program with a similar focus on at-risk youth and significant ties to Pennsylvania.
"Arrow was founded by Mark Tennant, a Washington, Pa. native who says he survived physical and sexual abuse as a child, and saw his own life turn for the better when he was placed with a foster family in Bedford.
"His agency now focuses on helping preserve families where abusive situations have been identified and, where necessary, making sure children who come out of those homes are placed with foster families specially trained to meet their needs.
"Arrow currently has a Pennsylvania affiliate based in Altoona.
"Woodle said his board felt Arrow was the best fit out of numerous organizations that stepped forward with an interest in The Second Mile programs because of the synergy of mission, Tennant's Pennsylvania ties, and the fact that with its $36 million annual budget, Arrow has the size to give create "staying power" for the programs, which are typically free of charge.
"Tennant said as he watched the Sandusky story unfold from afar, he became intrigued by the idea of trying to help The Second Mile save its programming, and the kids at risk of losing its services.
"It really wasn't a business decision from the beginning," he said this week.
"It was very much of a heart story. I realized how my life was changed by the folks in Central Pennsylvania and I wanted to give back... We needed to run toward it rather than away from it."
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/05/the_second_mile_surrenders_to.html
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